Stuck Fuel Door - Solution
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
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While having a key made after losing my ONLY key I stumbled upon the solution to my pesky "stuck fuel door" issue. On my previous key, whenever I would disarm the alarm with the key, my mirrors and seat would return to an odd position. The positioning did not match my #1 or# 2 saved settings and I could never figure out how to prevent it from doing this EVERY time I unlocked the doors. Well, while having a new key made, Porsche calls me and tells me that they can't program my new key due to a piece in the alarm being corroded / wet / damaged. As I needed my car I told them to go ahead and replace the unit so I could get back on the road. $796.26 later I find out that this also solved my fuel door issue that I was having. See below for the highlights and photos.
Vehicle
2003 996 Turbo
6 Speed
70,000 miles
Issue: Fuel Door won't open
- electric pin won't retract when alarm is deactivated or door is unlocked.
- The little black pin is stuck in the lock position
Temporary Solution: Push down on the black pin and pull the door open with a little force. It bends the plastic pin just enough to open it.
Assumed Culprit: Fuel Door Actuator
Actual Culprit: Theft Control Unit
Notes from Porsche: Alarm unit has been wet and is no longer functional. Remove driver seat. Remove alarm unit and replace. Code unit to vehicle.
![](http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/156/img1831a.jpg)
![](http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/2060/img1830v.jpg)
![](http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3821/img1829.jpg)
![](http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/8153/img1838z.jpg)
Vehicle
2003 996 Turbo
6 Speed
70,000 miles
Issue: Fuel Door won't open
- electric pin won't retract when alarm is deactivated or door is unlocked.
- The little black pin is stuck in the lock position
Temporary Solution: Push down on the black pin and pull the door open with a little force. It bends the plastic pin just enough to open it.
Assumed Culprit: Fuel Door Actuator
Actual Culprit: Theft Control Unit
- FP Number: 996-618-262-03
- List Price: $383.14
Notes from Porsche: Alarm unit has been wet and is no longer functional. Remove driver seat. Remove alarm unit and replace. Code unit to vehicle.
![](http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/156/img1831a.jpg)
![](http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/2060/img1830v.jpg)
![](http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3821/img1829.jpg)
![](http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/8153/img1838z.jpg)
![](http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3853/img1834a.jpg)
#3
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Nice! Being an EE, I'd love to tear into that clapped out theft control unit. ![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Don't forget to post more about your venturi issue, Lysoleverywhere. I can't believe someone stole your busted one. That sucks, even though it was broke.
![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Don't forget to post more about your venturi issue, Lysoleverywhere. I can't believe someone stole your busted one. That sucks, even though it was broke.
#5
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
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thanks for the detailed report. This is precisely the sort of information that all Porsche owners need to share! thanks for paving the way. sorry it had to cost so much.
#7
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![thumbup](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/thumbup.gif)
Anything I can learn from it I'll post on the site. Although, even with the sophisticated test equipment I have access to, these black boxes are getting blacker and blacker every day.
![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
PM sent.